Aftershocks keep jolting quake-hit areas in China

Xinhua Beijing, May 16 (Xinhua) A moderate aftershock measuring 5.69 on the Richter scale jolted the Lixian County in China’s quake-hit south-western Sichuan Province Friday, the seismological bureau reported. This was the latest aftershock in a series of 20 tremors, each measuring above 5 on the Richter scale, recorded in the Sichuan region.

As of midnight Thursday, 122 aftershocks, measuring above four on the Richter scale, had been monitored in the Wenchuan County. The quake epicentre was in south-western Sichuan province.

According to officials, at least 19,509 people were killed in the quake in Sichuan Province alone. However, the overall toll could be more than 50,000. Xinhua